Thermostatic valve



(No Model.)

C. F. BRIGHAM.

THERMOSTATIG VALVE. 110.391,01?. Patented Oct. 16, 1888.

N. PE' Rs.'Phnu|.imugmphnr. washington. n. C.

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CHARLES F. BRIGHAM, OF BOSTN, MASSACHUSETTS TH ERIVIOSTATIC VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,017, dated October 16, 1888.

Application filed November 29, 1887A To all 107mm, t may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLEs F. Baier-IAM, of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Thermostatic Valves, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to thermostatic valves of that class in which the valveis operated by the expansion and contraction ofa liquid.

In accordance with my invention I employ a corrugated tube, preferably of metal, and provided at one end, as shown, with a bulb or reservoir, and having at its other end a cap, which may constitute the valve proper, or which may be connected to the stem or rod of the valve, the said corrugated tube and bulb being filled with alcohol or other liquid.

My improvedI thermostatic valve, among other things, is especially adapted to be used on cars heated by steam, there being preferably one for each car, the said valve beinginclosed in a case connected to a pipe in the ear,

and being1 adapted to open when the temper ature ofthe valve-case falls below a predetermined point to permit water of condensation in the pipes to escape therefrom, and adapted to Close the outlet of the pipe when the temperature of the valve case has again risen to a predetermined point.

rIhe valve will preferably be made adjustable with relation to its seat to regulate the vemperature at which the said valve will close and open.

The particular features in which my invention consists will be pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure l shows a sufficient portion of a car heated by steam and provided with my improved thermostatic valve to enable my invention to be understood. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the thermostatic valve removed.

rEhe car A, of any ordinary construction, such as noweommonly employed on railways, is provided with suitable steam-pipes, by which the car is heated, only one, a, of the said pipes being shown by dotted lines.

The pipe c may, and preferably does, represent the lowest one ofthe system of pipes laid Serial No. 256,409. (No model.)

in the car-thatis,tl1e one nearest the car-floor, and in which the water of condensation accumulates. The pipe a is provided with an outlet, herein shown as a pipe, a', connected to a fitting, ai, on the pipe c. The outlet-pipe ais extended outside the car, and has connected to it, as shown, by a coupling-nut, b, a threaded nozzle or pipe, b', shown as forming an integral part of a cap or head, b2, of a case or chest, b3. The case or chest ba contains my improved thermostatic valve composed of a corrugated tube, c, preferably of metal, the said tube being provided at one end with a cap, c', secured to or forming part of the said tube, the said cap in Fig. 2 constituting the valve proper, and having, as shown, conical sides c2, which co-operate with a conical seat, c, formed at the end of a pipe-section, c, herein shown as screwed into the nozzle b.

The corrugated tube c is provided,as shown, at its opposite end with abulb or reservoir, c5, having, as shown, a threaded stud or projection, c6, which is inserted through a threaded opening in the bottom c7 of the case b, and secured thereto, as shown, by a nut, o8, the said tube being made adjustable with relation to its seat by means of the threaded projection c". The corrugated tube c and bulb or reservoir c5 are filled with a liquid, f, preferably alcohol, but which may be mercury or other liquid.

In operation the valve will be open, as shown in Fig. 2, when the car is not being used or when the temperature is very low. Vhen the car is coupled onto the train, steam is admitted into the pipes Within the car to heat the same. The steam circulates through the said pipes and passes out between the Valve and its seat into the case or chest b, and thence through suitable holes, d, in the bottom of said case into the atmosphere. The steam in the case b3 expands the liquid in the corrugated tube@ and bulb cand the said expanding liquid acts directly upon the said tube and elongates it bodily to raise the valve c to its seat, thereby cut-ting off the escape of steam from the circulating-pipes. The rate of expansion of the liquid being greater than that of the metallic tube, the corrugation of the metal tube provides for or enables the said tube to be elon` gated by thc expansion of the liquid substantially at the same rate as the liquid, thus producing a sensitive and quickly operating valve.

The valve maybe adjusted with relation to its seat through the projection c, thereby causing it to be moved a greater distance before it reaches its seat, thus raising the temperature at which the Valve is closed.

When the car is side-tracked or not in use, or when the atmosphere is verylow, theliquid contracts, thereby permitting the corrugated tube t0 contract, thus opening the valve and permitting Water of condensation in the pipes to escape therefrom and leave steam to be circulated therethrough.

I prefer to employ the bulb or reservoir 05;

Vbut it may be dispensed with and the corrugated tube alone be used, the said tube in this case being closed at its lower end.

I claim- 1. The combination, with an outlet of asteampipe, of a case or chest, b3, provided with a nozzle, b', secured to said steam-pipe, and a thermostatic valve located in said case or chest and adjustable with relation to its seat, said valve consisting of a corrugated metallic tube, 25

c, bulb c5, cap or valve proper, c', and a liquid contained in said corrugated tube and bulb, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with au outlet ofasteampipe, of a case or chest. b, provided with a 3o nozzle, b', secured thereto, and a thermostatic valve located in said case or chest and adjustable with relation to its seat, said valve cousisting of a corrugated tube, c, a cap or valve proper, c', and a liquid contained in said cor- 35 

